Gas Prices Drop 25 Cents, But Still Set December Record

(LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13, 2011) —Gas prices across Southern California dropped over the past month, but not enough to prevent them from setting a new record as the highest prices ever paid in December, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California’s monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California December average price for regular unleaded self-serve gasoline is $3.62, which is 25.3 cents lower than the November average of $3.873 and 35.7 cents higher than last year’s December Fuel Gauge price of $3.263. The previous record Southern California December monthly price was $3.314, set in 2007.

The statewide average price of $3.585 is 25.7 cents lower than the November average of $3.842 and 32.1 cents higher than last year’s December Fuel Gauge statewide price average of $3.264. Among surveyed cities statewide, Ukiah has the lowest price average at $3.374 and Blythe has the highest average at $3.914. In Southern California, the lowest price average can be found in La Habra at $3.505.

Nationally, the December average price of $3.269 is 14.5 cents lower than the November average of $3.414. Hawaii continues to have the highest average price among U.S. states at $4.06. Missouri has the lowest state average price at $3.015.

“The Southern California average Fuel Gauge price for 2011 is $3.83 a gallon for regular unleaded, which is about 30 cents higher than the previous record annual average in 2008,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring. “Southern Californians who drive 12,000 miles a year in a vehicle getting 20 miles to the gallon will have spent nearly $2,300 on gasoline this year -- $280 more than they did in 2008.”

Note: Today will be the last monthly Fuel Gauge Report from the Auto Club. Reporters and consumers can continue to find daily, weekly and monthly updated prices for larger geographic areas on FuelGaugeReport.aaa.com. The Auto Club will continue to publish its weekly Weekend Gas Watch each Thursday.

In Southern California, the averages for regular and premium grades of gasoline are listed below:

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The Automobile Club of Southern California is a member club affiliated with the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation and serves members in the following California counties: Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura. Find a different AAA club.